Bill Frisell’s “History, Mystery” is a series of short pieces, alternately elegant and playful, written by Frisell for an octet comprised of the guitarist himself and a group of longtime collaborators-friends.
Produced by Lee Townsend, much of “Mystery, History” was captured live during 2006 dates with the octet in Washington D.C., Boston, and Hanover, New Hampshire.
Part One of the album light-hearted and playful, whereas Part Two takes a moodier turn, with more overtly jazz oriented arrangements.
Along with his original material, Frisell interpolates three disparate “cover” tunes into Part One, versions of Malian guitar legend Boubacar Traore’s trance-like blues-rock, “Baba Drame”; Theolonius Monk’s swinging and sophisticated “Jacky-ing”; and Sam Cooke’s eloquent “A Change Is Gonna Come,” presented here as an ovation-worthy, wordless live jam, performed with unfettered soul.
Frisell is joined by Eyvind Kang (viola), Ron Miles (cornet), Hank Roberts (cello), Jenny Scheinman (violin), Tony Scherr (bass) Greg Tardy (clarinet and tenor saxophone) and Kenny Wollesen (drums).
